Rifle Scopes Vortex viper first impressions

skeetlee

Gunny Sergeant
Full Member
Minuteman
Jun 13, 2008
1,564
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50
Central Illinois
I got my vortex viper 6-20x50 this past week and when i took it out of the box i was impressed. Nice fit and finish. I really like the fast zeroing function of the turrets (crafty!!) . I took it to the range today for the first time. The eye relief was a bit disappointing. Way to close for my likings at the upper ranges of power. Glass is nice, but i am pretty sure it wasnt crisp from edge to edge. It seemed to me that the edges were a bit fuzzy, again on the upper ranges of power. I will need to take it out again to confirm that i wasnt seeing anything in the near surroundings causing the fuzzy edges. Parallax worked well and the scope held a good zero. I got the BDC model for long range hunting and i like the MOA distance between dots for my rifles load. A 100 yard zero with my 6x47L is the cross hairs. First dot below is 250 yards and the second dot will hit at 400 yards. that is great for my intentions. Over all pretty good, the close eye relief has be a bit bothered though. Has anyone else experienced fuzzy edges and a close eye relief problem? If the rifle were any bigger than a 6x47L i might have a black eye. Keep in mind i am not optic expert, and i only got to spend about 45min with the scope so far. I will report more tomorrow if the weather holds. I also took out my new Sightron s3 and that scope rocks!!!!! Lee
 
Re: Vortex viper first impressions

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: skeetlee</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I also took out my new Sightron s3 and that scope rocks!!!!! Lee </div></div>
Do you have a picture of how the turrets with the caps removed looks like?
 
Re: Vortex viper first impressions

I could probably take some. I took the vortex back out for another run this afternoon as i was pretty upset with the first run this morning. The edge to edge clearness isn't an issue. I must have been picking something up from the range, a shadow or something. I didnt experience this this afternoon. The eye relief is still a bit short for my likings, but at around 10 power it is ok. At 20power i really have to crawl up on the stock to see. I have the scope mounted as far back as i can, so i will have to just keep the power down, witch isnt a big deal. I think the scope is well worth the cash spent!! Thanks camera land for a great deal!
The sightron s3 is by far the clearest scope i have ever owned. I dont own any might force or Premier or S&B so i cant compare this sightron to them. I am really happy with the sightron. Very nice!!! Lee
 
Re: Vortex viper first impressions

i too received my vipers friday. i mounted one on my 308 which has an sIII on it. when i took it to the range to sight in i also noticed the lack of eye relief at high power and the edges seemed distorted. i have since found that light entering the scope at certain angles causes the distortion at the edges. what it is is glare. if you get the scope in the right light the glass is VERY VERY clear and nice. i dont care much for the lack of eye relief on 20x either but i think you would have to go to a pretty big boomer before you would be in risk of getting cut. the turrets are super nice and it tracks PERFECTLY. that is worth a lot in a scope. the sIII is still my favorite but you can buy two vipers for the same cost with the vortex rebates. time will tell but everything seems very solid and smooth. i think a sunshade may be in order to cut down on the glare.

chuck